Wheel suspension



Patented Aug. 19, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEEL SUSPENSION Raphael Zavarella, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application September 14, 1945, Serial No. 616,226

l Claim. l

This invention relates to a front wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, and the primary object thereof is to provide a device of the character described, which will function effectively to minimize jolts, jars, and shocks to the motor vehicle due to road inequalities.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the class stated, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and efficient in its use, compact, attractive in appearance, and comparatively economical in its manufacture, installation, operation, and maintenance.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but itis to be understood that the latter is merely illustrative of an embodiment of the invention, and that the actual needs of practice and manufacture may require certain mechanical variations from the embodiment shown. It is, therefore, not intended to limit the invention to the disclosure thereof herein illustrated, but rather to define such limitations to the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a front g wheel suspension constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3, Figure 2.

Figure fl is an enlarged side elevational view of the hydraulic mechanism, and being partly in cross section.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the piston.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the improved front wheel suspension comprises an elongated wheel-bar I' and an elongated axle-bar 2. The Wheel and axle bars are generally of uniform lengths, and are normally disposed in horizontal, parallel relation to each other, with the wheel-bar being positioned outwardly of the axlebar.

The axle-bar 2 is joined, approximately centrally of its length, directly with the front axle 3, -by a conventional type of steering knuckle 4, whereby the axle-bar is supported and maintained in the horizontal position, but may shift laterally on the steering knuckle to effect steering operations in the usual manner. The steering 2 mechanism 5 is pivotally connected with the axlebar as indicated at Ii.

The front end 'I of the wheel-bar I, is'pivotally connected with the front end 8, of the axle-bar 2, by means of a bolt 9, whereby Vthe wheel-bar is alloWed to shift vertically up or down from such connection with the horizontally supported axlebar.

The rear end of the axle-bar 2 is formed to provide an upwardly disposed yoke II), in which latter a vertically disposed cylinder II is pivotally suspended, as indicated at I2. The yoke is laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal center of the axle-bar to position the aXis of the cylinder directly over the longitudinal center of the wheel-bar I.

A piston I3, provided with a plurality of vertically extending apertures I4, is mounted for vertical reciprocal movement in the cylinder II. A connecting rod I5, having its upper end xed to the piston, depends and projects through a removable closure plate I6, which latter is secured to the lower end of the cylinder. The projecting lower end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected, as indicated at I'I, to the rear end of the wheel-bar I'. The cylinder is lled with a suitable operating fluid I8, which may be placed therein through an opening which is closed by a plug I9 mounted in the top of the cylinder.

A wheel spindle 20, for the motor vehicle front wheel, is carried by the wheel-bar I and projects outward laterally from approximately the center of the latter.

A rigid, vertically disposed bracket 2l is lixed to the center of the axle-bar 2, and carried a pivotally joined, forwardly disposed spring plate 22. A similarly constructed, vertically aligned, opposed spring plate 23 is pivotally supported in bearing members 24, which are xed on the wheel-bar I. -A vertically disposed, spiral spring 25 is mounted and secured between the spring plates 22 and 23, and provides the resilient mounting for the vehicle on the front wheels of the latter. The pivotal connections of the spring plates 22 and 23 compensate for variations in the position of the spring 25 during the operation of f the suspension mechanism to be described.

of the axle-bar 2 by the bolt 9. It is obvious that the entire front wheel suspension assembly shifts with the wheel steering operations, as said suspension assembly is joined with the vehicle axle 3 by the steering knuckle 4.

During the iiuctuating movements of the wheel-bar I, which latter has its rear end pivotally joined with the connecting rod I5, the piston I3 will be drawn in respective vertical directions in the cylinder II. The fluid I8 is forced through the piston apertures I by such piston movements to eiect a cushioned retardation to the movement of the wheel-'bar I, whereby all shocks and jars of Vehicle travel are reduced to a minimum. The pivotal connections of the piston and cylinder with respective wheel and axle bars I and 2 compensates for variations in the relativeV positions of the latter during the operations of the improved wheel suspension, in the manner set forth.

What I claim is:

The combination with the front axle and the front wheel of a motor vehicle, of an elongated rigid axle-bar, saidaXle-bar being disposed horizontally at-right angles with respect to the front axle, a steering knuckle joining the center of said 25 nected with the front end of said axle-bar, said wheel-bar being normally disposed in horizontal parallel relation with said axle-bar, a cylinder pivotally connected with the rear end of said axlebar, a piston provided with a plurality of apertures mounted in said cylinder, a connecting rod joined with said piston and being pivotally connected with the rear end of said wheel-bar, operating iiuid confined in said cylinder, a vertically disposed bracket xed at the center of said axlebar and carrying a pivotally supported spring plate, a bearing element xed to said wheel-bar and carrying a pivotally supported spring plate, and a spiral spring engaged between said spring plates and operable for normally maintaining said wheel-bar in its horizontal parallel relation t0 said axle-bar.

RAPHAEL ZAVARELLA.

REFERENCES CTEED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 819,302 Munsingr May 1, 1906 1,067,751 Nottingham July l5, 1913 1,233,969 Brahst July 17, 1917 

